Category:Kyūshū Region

Kyūshū (九州地方) is the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands (excluding the Ryūkyū archipelago). Historically one of Japan’s earliest cultural and political centers, Kyūshū played a foundational role in continental exchange, particularly with Korea and China. This deep history of maritime contact contributed significantly to the development of regional craft traditions, religious practices, and aesthetic forms.

The region’s volcanic landscapes, hot springs, fertile plains, and mineral-rich soils have shaped its artisanal heritage. Kyūshū is renowned for its wide range of ceramic traditions—among the most diverse and historically layered in Japan—including production centers associated with Korean potters who settled in the region during the late 16th century. Lacquerware, bamboo crafts, paper-making, and metalwork similarly reflect local materials and long-standing artisanal lineages.

Kyūshū is culturally varied: northern areas are urban and industrial, while central and southern regions maintain strong rural and craft-focused identities. The coexistence of ancient kiln sites, living workshop communities, and contemporary craft studios positions Kyūshū as a major center for both historical and ongoing artisanal innovation.

Kyūshū Region consists of seven prefectures:

• Fukuoka Prefecture
• Saga Prefecture
• Nagasaki Prefecture
• Kumamoto Prefecture
• Ōita Prefecture
• Miyazaki Prefecture
• Kagoshima Prefecture

• One of the most important ceramic regions in Japan, including Arita, Karatsu, Hizen, Satsuma, and Onta traditions.
• Historical convergence zone for Korean and Chinese artistic influences.
• Strong traditions of bamboo craft, lacquerware, and papermaking.
• Cultural identity shaped by mountains, hot springs, and coastal trade networks.

• Location: Southwestern Honshū-adjacent island
• Landscape: Volcanic mountain belts, river basins, coastal plains
• Major cities: Fukuoka, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Nagasaki

• Japanese Regions
• Hizen Porcelain
• Karatsu ware
• Satsuma ware